José Rafael Lantigua, former culture minister and celebrated writer, dies at 76

Santo Domingo.- José Rafael Lantigua, the Dominican Republic’s culture minister from 2004 to 2012 and a towering figure in the nation’s literary scene, died early Tuesday after a weeks-long illness, colleagues confirmed. An esteemed poet, essayist and journalist, Lantigua founded the Santo Domingo International Book Fair and led the country’s cultural policies during two consecutive administrations.

Born in Moca in 1948, Lantigua earned his degree in Education with a specialization in Letters from UNPHU and later took a PhD in Philosophy. He served as director of the literary supplement at Última Hora newspaper for fifteen years and chaired the permanent commission of the National Book Fair, transforming it into a landmark event. In 2006 he joined the Dominican Academy of Language, occupying its prestigious “A” chair.

As culture minister, Lantigua championed the 2008 film‐industry law and launched initiatives to modernize libraries, support emerging writers and preserve archival collections. After leaving government, he directed the Center for Cultural Studies at Funglode and edited its flagship journal, Revista Global, mentoring a generation of scholars and critics.

His wide‐ranging publications — from the poetic Sobre un tiempo de esperanzas to his critical study Domingo Moreno Jimenes, apóstol de la poesía — earned him multiple national awards, including the National Essay Prize and the Narciso González Award. The outpouring of tributes from writers, politicians and reader‐communities affirms his lasting legacy as a builder of Dominican cultural identity.